The Case of Oscar Slater

by Arthur Conan Doyle

Excerpt from The Case of Oscar SlaterIt is impossible to read and weigh the facts in connection with the conviction of Oscar Slater in May, 1909, at the High Court in Edinburgh, without feeling deeply dissatisfied with the proceedings, and morally certain that justice was not done. Under the circumstances of Scotch law I am not clear how far any remedy exists, but it will, in my opinion, be a serious scandal if the man be allowed upon such evidence to spend his life in a convict prison. The verdict which led to his condemnation to death, was given by a jury of fifteen, who Nine for "Guilty," five for "Non-proven," and one for "Not Guilty." Under English law, this division of opinion would naturally have given cause for a new trial.

Library Binding

First published January 1, 1912

About the author

Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was a Scottish writer and physician. He created the character Sherlock Holmes in 1887 for A Study in Scarlet, the first of four novels and fifty-six short stories about Holmes and Dr. Watson. The Sherlock Holmes stories are milestones in the field of crime fiction.

Doyle was a prolific writer. In addition to the Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, "J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement" (1884), helped to popularise the mystery of the brigantine Mary Celeste, found drifting at sea with no crew member aboard.

Reviews

[Sarah83 sbookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ein Buch, dass Doyle auch als Sachbuchschriftsteller präsentiert und zeigt, dass auch die Justiz nicht unfehlbar ist. 😒

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining listening 🎧
Due to eye issues and damage from shingles Alexa reads to me.
A novella by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle which lead to the release of Oscar Slater. It is not Sherlock Holmes but lots of facts. I would recommend to reads to mysteries. Enjoy the adventure of reading 2021

[Carol Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting review of a case that happened more than a century ago. After all this time, we are still worrying about juries making mistakes! Doyle gives a brief, but thorough, account of the facts as presented in court and the influences on the witnesses that might have affected their testimonies. We now know that eye-witness accounts of a crime are questionable at best. People just do not see or remember details very well when they are under stress. Fortunately, Doyle's book appears to have helped right a wrong in this case.

[Erik Wennermark · Rating 2 out of 5]

A long dull procedural exposition of a not very interesting miscarriage of justice.

[Ange · Rating 3 out of 5]

True case about a murder in Edinburgh. Kinda dry reading. This book helped get Mr. Slater freed.